In September 1991, A.J. Foyt filmed a commercial for Sears Craftsman tools at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. While filming in the garage area, Foyt, and Speedway president Tony George decided to take Foyt's NASCAR Winston Cup car for a few laps around the track. Foyt was the first driver to drive a NASCAR stock car around the Speedway, and later on, George himself took a few laps. The event was not a direct plan for a future race, but caused some interest and speculation for the future.

In March 1992, IROC drivers Dave Marcis and Dick Trickle tested at the Speedway. Trickle reportedly ran a lap at 162.799 mph. At the time, the Speedway was considering hosting an IROC event during the month of May during activities leading up the Indianapolis 500. The test was considered successful, but several improvements would have to be made to the track before it was safe for the IROC cars to race there. After consideration, it was determined that it would be more economically feasible to attempt to host a NASCAR Winston Cup race before inviting IROC. IROC eventually raced at the Speedway from 1998-2003.

On June 22, 1992, nine NASCAR Winston Cup series teams were invited to participate in what was officially considered a Goodyear tire test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Although no official announcements had been made, it was in fact, a compatibility test to see if stock cars would be competetive at the Speedway.

Over two days, an estimated 10,000 specators watched an rather exciting two days of history in the making. A.J. Foyt, who had driven his stock car there the previous September, took a few laps around the track in Dale Earnhardt's car on the second day.

On April 14, 1993, Speedway President Tony George, and the president of NASCAR, Bill France, Jr. jointly announced the Inaugural Brickyard 400, to be held Saturday August 6th, 1994. A new race logo was also unveiled.

On August 16-17, 1993, thirty-five NASCAR teams took part in an open test at the Speedway. Several thousand spectators attended, and many announcements were made. Recently retired NASCAR legend Richard Petty took a few fast laps by himself, and then donated his car to the Speedway museum.